Kitchen light options. Principles of proper lighting in the kitchen. Types and features of application

Today, spotlights in the kitchen are very often used, which can either complement the central chandelier or replace it. So what points should you pay attention to when choosing such lighting devices for yourself?

Advantages and disadvantages

Main advantage– creating soft, uniform and diffuse lighting, while one central chandelier visually conceals the space, creating shaded areas.

An undeniable advantage is the economy of such devices. Make the electrical wiring in such a way that you can separately turn on the lamps located in the dining and work areas.

Additional savings will appear if you choose LED (LED) lamps.

If there is a need to visually expand the surrounding space or make the ceilings higher, pay attention to rotating spots that allow you to direct light to a specific area.

They can also be used for zoning space. An effective solution can be obtained by integrating colored light bulbs into them. Thanks to this, it will be possible to advantageously place accents and divide zones.

But there are a couple of points.

Along with significant advantages, there are also minor disadvantages, in particular:

more complex installation compared to installing a central chandelier;
the need to think through the placement of lighting fixtures at the renovation stage;
Not compatible with all interior styles.

The last aspect can hardly be called a disadvantage, because today there is a huge variety of devices on sale that can organically fit into any design, both classic and modern.

Types and features of application

According to the installation method, devices are divided into surface-mounted, mortise and suspended.

Mortise models can be installed on tension, suspended and slatted structures, while overhead models can be mounted even on concrete ceilings.

A special plate for screws is used for fastening.

The most popular models are built-in. They amaze the imagination with a variety of colors and designs, shapes and sizes.

Recessed lamps can be completely “recessed” into the ceiling, or they can protrude slightly above the surface, creating an original play of light.

Spot devices are used as main, decorative or local lighting, but please note that each such device is intended to illuminate about 2 square meters of area.

Modern spots are completely fireproof and moisture resistant, so they can be combined with any decoration and placed in rooms such as the bathroom and kitchen.

Tip: When installing spotlights in the kitchen, install an additional rheostat, which allows you to use the consumed electricity more economically.

Spots of simpler shapes are easier to wipe off from grease and dust. And lastly, if you are selecting devices for suspended ceilings, then give preference to models with rounded edges.

Basic rules for placement

If you plan to use spotlights as the main lighting, then they should be placed at a distance of not 30-40 cm from each other, maintaining a 20-centimeter distance from the wall.

Device power per 1 sq.m. – about 20 W. Combining with a central chandelier will reduce the number of appliances or their power.

The correct placement of lamps will transform the surrounding space.

A small or narrow room will be transformed if you place them around the perimeter or along two walls, which will evenly distribute the light fluxes, filling the room with soft light without islands of shadows.

If we are talking about spacious kitchens, then the first priority is adequate lighting of all functional areas (above the dining table, along the perimeter, above the workplace).

A universal option is to place the central chandelier above the dining area, but the spots are placed along its perimeter and in the food preparation area.

Spotlights are one of the most affordable ways to zone a room, because with their help you can advantageously emphasize each functional area, which is especially important for studio apartments.

Spot lighting devices are an ideal solution for two-level ceilings. With their help, you can select either one level or several.

And one last thing.

With their help, the work area will be illuminated in the best possible way: beautiful, economical and practical!

Using this information, you can create optimal lighting in your kitchen, emphasizing the exclusivity and originality of the interior.

Spotlights can complement or even replace the central ceiling chandelier because:

The main advantage is that they allow you to make the lighting in the kitchen uniform, diffused, soft, both separately and in combination with a chandelier or LED lighting. An ordinary ceiling lamp without additional lighting creates shadows and thereby visually narrows the space;

Illumination using LED and halogen lamps is very economical, and installing spotlights with the ability to turn on in parts, that is, only where needed at the moment, for example, in the work area when you are cooking, significantly saves energy;
Rotating spots and ceiling-wall lamps can direct light where you want, thanks to which you can benefit from the advantages and disadvantages of space - visually raise, expand, zone, etc. low ceilings. We will tell you how to do this below;
In addition, you can use single-color or colored light bulbs to create an unusual lighting design, separating zones and placing accents.

The disadvantages of spotlights include:

Installation is more complex compared to a chandelier;
The need to think over the placement of light sources on the ceiling at the renovation stage, and the placement of spotlights built into the kitchen set at the assembly stage;
Not everyone likes this modern type of ceiling lighting in the kitchen; for some, it may resemble “office” lighting. But this is a big misconception; today spotlights can be organically integrated even into a traditional kitchen interior, as in the photo below. The main thing is to choose the right lighting design.

Types of spotlights for installation are divided into: mortise, surface-mounted, pendant. If mortise ones can only be built into suspended ceilings (, etc.), then overhead (external) lamps can also be installed on a regular concrete ceiling, since on the base of the body of such a spot there is a special mounting plate for screws;
Built-in models are the most popular type in the category of spotlights, so they are presented in a very wide range of colors, designs and sizes;
Recessed lamps can be completely recessed into the base and then they are practically invisible, or they can, on the contrary, decorate the ceiling, protruding above its surface with a beautiful decorative diffuser;

Spotlights can create local, main and decorative lighting;
Each of the installed devices is capable of illuminating no more than two square meters of the room;
Modern devices are fireproof, and therefore can be used in combination with any finish. And their body is made of moisture-proof material, which makes it easy to withstand high humidity;
There are designs with an internal or external location of the light bulb, which provides directional or diffused light, respectively.

Adviсe:

The simpler the design of the spots, the easier it is to care for them - to wash off grease, dust, etc.;
For suspended ceilings, it is better to choose lamps with round or rounded corners;
For more economical and rational energy consumption, install a dimmer, which is also called a rheostat or dimmer.

Types of lamps

Lamps are available: LED, halogen or incandescent.

LED lamps are deservedly popular. They are economical and consume very little electricity, and also practically do not heat up. Therefore, LED devices can be used in combination with a wide variety of finishes - their location even next to flammable materials will not lead to a fire.

LED recessed luminaires come in rotating and non-rotating types. Rotating lamps allow you to change the direction of light.

Devices with installed incandescent lamps provide a bright, pleasant light that everyone is familiar with, but they are much larger in size, therefore they require installation with a large margin, in addition, they have a short service life.

From the point of view of durability and energy consumption, halogen lamps are advantageous, but they are also considered the most expensive. They provide bright, close to natural lighting, but have one drawback - the lamps get very hot, so choose lamps with a metal frame, glass diffuser and ceramic socket.

Keep in mind that halogen spotlights require a transformer to convert the normal 220W to the required 12W. The power of the transformer should slightly exceed the total power of all halogen bulbs.

Installation of spotlights in a kitchen with suspended ceilings requires a limitation on the power of the installed lamps. Thus, the power of halogen devices should not exceed 35 watts, and the power of incandescent lamps should not exceed 60 watts. This is due to the properties of the material, which can melt from too high temperatures.

Placement of lamps and rules of “playing with light”

To create basic lighting in the kitchen, ceiling spotlights should be placed at a distance of at least 30-40 cm from each other. A distance of at least 20 cm is maintained from the corner of the wall. Experts advise installing one point per 1.5 square meters. m or follow the following recommendation - for every 1 sq.m of ceiling there should be a 20 W lamp. If you want to install lamps with a power of more than 20 W or plan to combine them with a chandelier, then their number can be reduced.

Using the correct placement of spotlights, you can easily change the entire perception of the space.

You can visually expand a small, narrow or elongated kitchen by installing a group of several lamps along the center and on both sides of the ceiling of a narrow or elongated kitchen. That is, the main goal is to fill the space as evenly as possible with soft, diffused light without shadows.

When lighting large spaces, the main task is to arrange light sources so that they perfectly illuminate all functional areas, but at the same time create coziness, intimacy and a pleasant atmosphere. Most often, lamps are placed as in the photo below: there are spots around the perimeter of the kitchen, and hanging chandeliers in the center above the table or island.

The most universal option for placing spotlights in the kitchen is as follows: in the center of the kitchen, above the table or bar counter, you can hang ceiling lights or a chandelier, and install spotlights only above the work area directly above the kitchen unit.

But if the kitchen has low ceilings, then it is better to choose rotating models and direct their light up to the ceiling, and also install lamps on the visor of the wall cabinets of the kitchen unit. It is better not to hang a chandelier in a low kitchen.

In addition, spotlights allow you to perfectly zone a room, highlighting each of the functional areas. As a rule, in combined spaces - in a studio apartment, kitchen-dining room, kitchen-living room, the work area, kitchen area or adjacent hallway is highlighted with spotlights, and the relaxation or dining area is illuminated by a chandelier and pendant lamps.

Spotlights are simply created to decorate and illuminate two-level ceilings. In this case, embedded models are usually used. You can highlight everything or just one level, as in the next photo on the right.

How to properly install spotlights

Installation of spotlights requires the preparation of certain tools and devices:

Connection terminals;
Flat-head screwdriver;
Crowns for wood or metal (the latter will be required for working with slatted ceilings);
Assembly knife for stripping wires;
Drill;
Wire cutters;
Pliers;
Ladder.

Connecting spotlights is impossible without creating the appropriate electrical wiring. At the first stage, the lighting box is installed - it is mounted in such a way that there is free access to it at all times. This means that you should not place the box behind the trim. After this, a separate wire is laid from the box to each lamp. The wires must be placed in a corrugated pipe, which is necessary for protection.

If you plan to place it in a plasterboard ceiling, then the work is carried out in the following sequence:

The location of each device on the ceiling is accurately marked, while the location of the guides must be taken into account; lamps should not be attached to them;
A hole of the appropriate size is cut out using a drill bit, and for square devices the hole is made with a jigsaw;
The previously routed cable is pulled out through the hole. Of course, the wire must be de-energized during work. In order to be sure to remove the cable from a small hole, use a wire hook;
The wire brought out is connected in accordance with the colors through the terminals. If you use LED lamps with screw terminals for the wire, then terminals are not required;
Next comes the placement of the lamp in the hole, as a result of which it is secured with special spring clamps;
A lamp is screwed into the device, and after that a decorative ring is put on;
Conduct a system performance check.

It is impossible to compare rooms in an apartment in terms of importance, but the kitchen is, of course, one of the most visited, because food is constantly being prepared here, the whole family gathers here and guests are greeted. In order for a room to be multifunctional, regardless of its size, cozy and comfortable, it is important to pay special attention to its lighting. Properly organized, it can instantly transform the kitchen from a “hot shop” into a cozy dining area, conducive to long and pleasant family gatherings. This is why it is so important to think through the design of your future kitchen and all the lighting points, and our advice should help you with this.

No. 1. What types of lighting should be provided?

Just a couple of decades ago, the most popular option for organizing kitchen lighting was one, located in the center of the ceiling. This solution cannot be called the most convenient, because in this case all the most remote areas, an important part of the work area and the dining table, were not illuminated. Today it is even necessary to provide several types of lighting. There are such main types of kitchen lighting:

general, which is still necessary;
work area lighting;
dining area lighting;
decorative lighting.

You can do without purely decorative lighting in the kitchen, but properly selected functional lighting can also play a decorative role, and modern lamps are real works of art, made to suit every taste.

No. 2. What should the lighting be like?

To create the right lighting project, you need to know the basic requirements for it. And they are:

the light should be positioned so that people in the kitchen do not cast a shadow on the work surface and dining area;
in the same time, light sources should not be too bright so as not to blind a person;
it is important that some light sources complement others;
necessary take into account the color scheme of the kitchen. So, light walls and furniture will reflect up to 80% of the light flux, and dark ones - only about 12%;
necessary for dining and working areas different lighting power. Approximate standards are as follows: lighting power for the working area – 100 W/m2, for dining room – 50 W/m2;
When arranging lighting for a work area, you need to monitor the distance from water sources to lamps. It must be at least 60 cm.

No. 3. Arrangement of general lighting

It is impossible to do without a common main room, so you can provide a chandelier in the center of the kitchen or in the area. An alternative to chandeliers for small kitchens is flat lamps, as well as built-in lighting in the suspended ceiling. Great if it happens a rheostat is provided, with which you can adjust the intensity of the light flow and change the atmosphere in the kitchen.

No. 4. Work area lighting

Above the work area, where all the processes of cutting meat, peeling vegetables, kneading dough and the like take place, you need to equip sufficiently bright lighting. Best placement of light sources on wall cabinets so that the light from them falls directly on the work surface. If there is no such lighting, then when working, the entire space in front of you will be in shadow, which means that you will have to strain your eyesight. It is also important that the light is directed directly at the work surface and does not hit the eyes. It is possible where the manufacturer has already provided holes for installing lamps, but the issue can also be resolved with the help of separate lamps.

An excellent replacement for conventional lamps - LED Strip Light, which is also attached to the bottom surface of the cabinets. This is one of the most economical and uniform lighting methods. In addition, this is a great way to decorate the kitchen, highlight separate areas, and create a smooth transition to.

Not only the work surface needs lighting, but also, if there is one. Above the stove you can only use the lighting provided by the hood - this is quite enough.

No. 5. Dining area lighting

Artificial lighting for the dining table largely depends on its location in the kitchen, as well as on the owners. So, if the table is against the wall, then you can use a couple wall sconces. Ceiling lamps with adjustable suspensions They will also look good, but they are best suited for dining tables that are located in the central area of the kitchen. One or more of these lamps with interesting shades and the ability to adjust the height are ideal for any kitchen.

If the kitchen is very small, then it’s better, of course, to use it above the dining table sconce lamps. An alternative is small lamps or lamps, which can be installed directly on the dining table: in this way the interior will only be transformed and become even more cozy. For the smallest kitchens, it is possible to combine general light with lighting for the dining area, so as not to clutter the ceiling and walls with lighting fixtures.

No. 6. Decorative lighting

From the name alone it is clear that in this case we are talking about lighting, which does not perform any specific function, but serves only as interior decoration. With the help of several light bulbs, you can not only add zest to the kitchen, but even visually expand the space.

So, as additional lighting you can use kitchen cabinet lighting. It looks especially impressive when they have transparent doors. Such lighting, by the way, not only has a decorative function, but also helps to quickly find the necessary items in deep cabinets.

You can highlight the space between the ceiling and the kitchen unit. A small gap between the wall cabinets and the ceiling can be closed with a plexiglass panel and placed behind it. As a result, we get an interesting design technique that is great especially for small kitchens, as it is visually... In addition, such lighting will provide additional soft light, and the panels will cover the hood pipe and other unattractive communications.

You can also do base lighting. As a result, it feels like it’s floating in the air, and this visually increases the space. Another great option for small kitchens.

Don't forget about this lighting source, like candles. Their very appearance already gives a special atmosphere to the kitchen interior, and when lit they give a soft warm light that turns any dinner into a festive one.

To avoid mistakes, you need to follow the following rules:

windows facing north, must be kept absolutely clean, because the dust on them can take away about a third of the sunlight;
kitchens with windows facing south, in the daytime they often suffer from an excess of light, so in this case it is better to use curtains of dark shades or just thick curtains, at least for the summer period;
Also for kitchens with south windows It is advisable to use cool shades in wall decoration;
best way to regulate the flow of sunlight - blinds, and they are suitable for any kitchen;
if there is still not enough light in the kitchen during the daytime, then you can use fluorescent fluorescent lamps: they are a good alternative to sunlight and do not consume a lot of electricity.

No. 8. Features of lighting a small kitchen

The basic principles of lighting do not differ from the general ones, but the area of the room must be taken into account when choosing lighting devices. Many people mistakenly believe that if the room is small, then only one chandelier in the center of the kitchen will be enough. It will not be able to illuminate all areas of the working surface, so it is better to use several light sources.

Can be used as general lighting spotlights, because they do not take up space, soffits or corners spot lamps. The latter are generally unique for small rooms, since the direction of light is very easy to change, illuminating certain areas.

Some kitchens cannot boast of high ceilings, so there is no point in organizing a suspended or suspended ceiling - the room will seem completely tiny. In this case, spot lighting is eliminated, and you can choose a chandelier, but you don’t need to pay attention to all models. So, ideal for a small kitchen compact and very concise a model that will not overload the space. It is important to remember that the lamp should be compact and not small, otherwise it will emphasize the main disadvantage of the kitchen - its miniature size.

Lamps with pendants are not suitable for small kitchens: the closer the lampshade is located to the ceiling surface, the better. Lamps whose light is directed not downwards, but towards the ceiling, are well suited, but lampshades in the form of plates and boxes create a too dim glow.

No. 9. Which lamps to choose?

For lighting, you can use lamps of various types, which differ in price, efficiency and other characteristics. Everyone makes a choice based on their own preferences and requirements, but the following lamps are considered the most popular today:

incandescent lamp– one of the most common lighting options in recent times. Previously, such lamps could be found in almost every home, but today many understand how much more economical it is to use other types of lamps, so their popularity is, at least slowly, falling;
fluorescent lamps much more economical than incandescent lamps. With the same power, they produce brighter light, last longer, but are also more expensive;
halogen lamps also quite economical, but due to the huge variety of shapes and types they allow you to create unique interior solutions;
They are distinguished by high luminous efficiency and a long service life.

No. 10. Lighting fixture material

All chandeliers, sconces and other lighting items must be made of high-quality glass or plastic so that they can withstand high temperatures and steam. If the kitchen is made in country or Provence style, then some lamps may have, but they should be made of easy-to-clean fabric.

The style of the lamps, which should match the style of the room, is also important. Modern lamps are so unique that they can decorate any kitchen. The color and style must correspond to the interior design, and different lamps must be in harmony with each other.

Finally

To create proper lighting in the kitchen, you need to think through everything to the smallest detail in advance, because at the renovation stage you will need more. If you have created a project for your future kitchen, then it will be much easier to decide on the type, color and size of lamps, as well as their number. Do not forget to take into account the position of the kitchen relative to the cardinal directions, as well as its area.

Traditionally, in our country, the kitchen is not only a place where food is prepared, but also a place for eating and private gatherings. Therefore, lighting in the kitchen should not only be practical, but also beautiful and comfortable.

Principles and requirements

A kitchen is a room in which there are at least two zones with different purposes - a work area for cooking and a dining area. Different purposes also lead to different requirements for kitchen lighting: the work area should have bright lighting, allowing you to see everything clearly, and the dining area should have softer lighting.

But zoned kitchen lighting does not exclude the presence of a chandelier. Its functional significance is small, since the light spot is obtained in the center of the room, which remains mostly empty. But from the point of view of leveling out uneven illumination, this method is very good. As an option, you can use several spotlights, as in the photo above, or install built-in ceiling lights if the ceiling is suspended or suspended.

You need to think about lighting the kitchen even at the renovation stage, when the wiring is being assembled, the wiring is being installed, and the installation locations for sockets and switches are marked. Later, after the repair is completed, this is very problematic - you have to lay the wiring on top or in.

Illumination standards

When you are just planning lighting in the kitchen, the question arises of how many lamps are needed and what power. It's simple: there are lighting standards for each room for the kitchen - 150 Lux per square meter of area. Calculating illumination in Watts is no longer relevant, since a 7 W LED lamp can produce light like a 50 W incandescent lamp or 650 lm.

For example, let’s calculate how much light is required for a kitchen with an area of 12 m2. To do this, we multiply its area by the norm: 12 m2 * 150 Lx = 1800 Lx. And since 1 Lux is equal to 1 Lumen, it is necessary to install light bulbs that in total give at least 1800 Lm.

If you decide to do zoned lighting, that is, the work surface will be illuminated separately, there will be a light source above the table, it makes sense to count everything separately. To do this, the kitchen plan must be divided into zones, the area must be calculated, and based on these figures, the number of lamps and lamps for them must be selected. Just keep in mind that two 50 W lamps in total will not give as much light as one 100 W lamp, but about 1/3 less.

Lamp type, color and light

Another important point. When selecting lighting, it is best to choose lamps of the same type: halogen, LED, daylight. As a last resort, you can combine two types, but it is better not to use all three. They provide different lighting and it is almost impossible to get a sane result. We are not talking about incandescent lamps, since they are used very rarely: they require too much electricity, producing a small amount of light.

In addition to the type of lamps, you need to choose lamps that produce light of the same color, which is also called the color temperature of the lamps. They can produce light with blue, yellow, and white tints. Basically, it’s up to you to choose, but the best option is natural or neutral. It is better for the eyes and for color perception.

General lighting in the kitchen

Now let's see how you can create general lighting in the kitchen. The traditional option is a chandelier. But it does not fit into every modern interior; nevertheless, it has its place.

Traditional general lighting - a chandelier in the middle of the ceiling

Often kitchens are not square, but rectangular in shape. In this case, you can find a chandelier that is elongated. For a long and narrow room, this is the best option that will provide optimal light distribution.

If the ceilings are low, you won’t be able to hang a chandelier—it will get in the way. The solution is to find a lamp that is almost flat. It can be square or round - whichever is more suitable for the chosen one.

If you are going to make a suspended or suspended ceiling, you can “scatter” spotlights over the surface or create some kind of pattern from them (read about ways to place spotlights and more). You can also make lighting around the perimeter of the “central” zone. Such lighting in the kitchen visually helps to raise the ceiling and make the room a little more spacious.

All these methods can be combined, so the number of options is very large. But it is important not to forget that there is also lighting for two other zones and to look for lighting fixtures for this area as well, because they must match in style.

Dining area lighting

The light near the dining table can be made in only two variations: a story sconce, one or several lamps on a long cord from the ceiling.

You can use the sconce if the table is near the wall. When choosing the location of a wall lamp, we are guided by two considerations: the degree of illumination and convenience. The lamp should not interfere, for which it is placed at a height of 60-80 cm above the tabletop. In order for it to illuminate the entire table, it is advisable to find a model that allows you to move the lamp away from the wall.

To ensure that the lighting in the kitchen is not only bright, but also beautiful, all chandeliers and sconces are selected in the same style, which should also be in harmony with the overall design style.

Work surface illumination

There are more nuances in lighting the work area in the kitchen. First of all, you need to decide where to place the lamps, then choose their type, type and shape of lamps.

Choosing a location

When illuminating a work area in a kitchen, lamps are usually placed on the underside of hanging cabinets. And this is the best possible option. Because everyone else is much worse. For example, if the light source is on the ceiling (position 1 in the photo), standing with your back to it you block the light. Even if the lamps are located along the line, but high - on the ceiling or slightly above the level of the upper cabinets (position 2) - only a narrow part of the working surface at the edge is illuminated, the rest is in the shadow. That’s why the work area in the kitchen is illuminated by fixing the lighting fixtures to the bottom of the cabinets. Then the lighting in the kitchen has a pronounced zonal character, but it is much more convenient to work this way.

Here again there are options: lamps can be placed closer to the wall, in the middle, closer to the outer edge of the cabinets. The best option is closer to the outer edge (position 4). This way the lighting is more efficient with fewer shadows in the work area. The third option is also not bad. It is somewhat worse in terms of illumination, but more practical to implement.

So that the lighting in the kitchen does not interfere

If you illuminate the work surface in the kitchen at the bottom of the cabinets, other problems arise:

Not everyone is satisfied with the appearance of the lamps attached in this place.
The light hits the eyes of people sitting at the table.

Both of these problems have one solution: you need to install a decorative strip that will cover the lamp and limit the spread of light. It turns out that the lighting in the kitchen is softer and the lighting fixtures themselves are not visible.

The location of the bar, its height, and the position of the lamp must be selected on the spot: light sources have different heights, different brightnesses, the luminous flux can also be directed differently. Therefore, you select the bar parameters experimentally. Ideally, the light will not even fall on the floor, but will only illuminate the tabletop.

Alternatively, the bar can be designed as a small shelf for various kitchen items. Usually decor or jars of spices are displayed here. If you don't like this idea, just do a plank. If you think that even the plank spoils the appearance or it simply does not fit into the style, make a double bottom in the cabinets, hiding light sources inside. In this case, you can install frosted glass, which will soften the light.

In this case, the door is made along its entire length, although this is not necessary. To avoid problems with fixing the glass, you can install an aluminum corner around the perimeter of the bottom, on which you can simply lay a piece of frosted glass or translucent polycarbonate cut to size.

Spot lighting

When organizing lighting in the kitchen in the work area, you must immediately decide what type of light sources you will use. There are two options - point and tubular. In the case of using spot lights, you get a kind of “zebra”, the contrast of which can be negated by more frequent installation of light bulbs.

The advantage of this solution is that the lamps are quite decorative and such lighting looks beautiful. The downside is that it is not always convenient when cooking. Another drawback: spotlights are quite high and can only be installed with a second bottom in cabinets.

If you choose this method of lighting in the kitchen, take LED lamps. Now they are the most economical - with low power consumption they provide a lot of light and last a long time. In this case, their undoubted advantage is that they practically do not heat up, so there is no threat to the furniture. The option is a little worse - halogen lamps (they heat up and draw a little more electricity), an even less economical one - fluorescent lamps with a regular socket, and the worst option - incandescent lamps.

Linear light sources

When using linear lamps, the illumination is almost uniform, since lighting devices can be mounted with a distance of a couple of centimeters between them.

When choosing light sources for linear illumination, there are even more options and the range is expanding all the time. Perhaps there are already new means that few people know about yet. In the meantime, there are three of them: LED strip, LED and fluorescent lamps. There is also neon lighting, but it is quite difficult to install and costs more. That’s why lighting in the kitchen is almost never done with neon tubes or flexible hoses.

LED Strip Light

The strip and LEDs can be simply mounted on furniture, as it has an adhesive layer. But this layer is unreliable, so they prefer to secure it in some way - with double tape, with staples made of . If you plan to attach the tape directly to furniture, choose models with a high level of protection - IP44 and higher. But it’s better not to take those that are sealed in a tube - at home they overheat (especially in the kitchen), quickly fade, and soon burn out. For this case, it is better to take types filled with varnish or other protective composition.

When choosing an LED strip to illuminate the work surface in the kitchen, you need to pay attention to the brightness and size of the crystals. You need to choose the largest 50*50 or 50*75, and it is better if they are located in two rows. Their total power should produce no less light than was determined in the calculations. Read about the types of LED strips and the rules for their installation.

You can install the LED strip in special profiles (they are also called cable channels or trays). They are usually made of aluminum and have a transparent or translucent removable front panel. There may be a shelf inside on which the tape itself is attached. These are the most convenient types, but in others you have to be a bit tricky.

The advantages of installing LED backlighting in such a tray are that there is no point in worrying about the degree of protection of the tape, it looks decent. The disadvantage is that the light is less bright, so the power of the crystals must be greater than the calculated one. In any case, kitchen lighting using LED strips is becoming increasingly popular. This is due to ease of installation and low power consumption.

LED kitchen lights

LED lamps can be not only spot or ordinary - in the form of a pear with a standard base. They are also available in the form of tubes.

They are installed on clips - plates that are attached to furniture into which tubes are inserted. Some can be mounted with magnets. The corresponding metal plates are attached to the furniture (you can use double-sided tape), and the lamps are simply attracted to them due to the magnets built into the body (Sensor model).

Fluorescent lamps

Tubular fluorescent lamps are a traditional lighting method. They are good because they are switched directly to 220 V, while LED ones require a special adapter that will provide the required voltage.

The disadvantages have been known for a long time - pulsating light, which has a negative effect on the eyes. There is one more not so pleasant point: LEDs are more economical. They consume very little electricity and last longer. Their service life is calculated in thousands of hours. Fluorescent lamps have to be changed much more often (every five times), but they cost less. In general, it is up to you to decide what type of lamp you want to use when lighting your kitchen.

Fluorescent lamps for kitchen lighting can be stylish

If you decide to illuminate your kitchen with fluorescent lamps, the optimal size is G13 base (diameter 26 mm). In length they can be 60 cm, 90 cm, 120 cm, 150 cm. Today there are different models - from the usual to quite nice (as in the photo above).

You can, as described above, hide such lamps in a double bottom by installing light-diffusing glass. In this case, you can buy the most inexpensive lamps. But it is unlikely that you will be able to save money - the costs for the profile for installing glass and the glass itself are either equivalent or may even be higher.

As you can see, it is better to make lighting in the kitchen multi-zone, and at the moment it is better to use LEDs. The lamps are quite expensive, but they are economical, shine brightly, work for a long time and do not get hot.